Patent GB-648210-A (GB)
Title: A new or improved machine for use in the manufacture of footwear
IPC: A43D95/08
Filed: 1948-12-17
Abstract: 648,210. Boots. WEBER & PHILLIPS, Ltd., L. & J., WEBER, J., and CHARNLEY, T. P. Dec. 17, 1948, No. 32709. [Class 17(i)] A machine for use in the manufacture of shoes has a plurality of lasts each comprising two relatively movable parts which are expansible, to adjust its length within a range of sizes to that of a shoe which limits its expansion, by fluid-operated means after they have been loaded on similarly operated means for successively traversing the lasts from and back to a loading station, e.g. on a travelling support, such as a rotary table, moving in a closed circuit, each last as it returns to the loading station being automatically contracted to permit unloading. A series of operations or processing steps, such as applying a through sole and heel, with buffing, and scouring, applying adhesive, and final trimming, are performed at the stations. In the illustrated form of machine, shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8 with its pneumatic pressure supply and exhaust lines, a series of extensible jacks is arranged radially around the periphery of a rotary table support 6. The table is supported by a drum 8 carried by a boss 5 rotatably mounted on a pivot post 4 supported on a pedestal 1, Figs. 3, 5. The table may be turned step-by-step by a double acting cylinder 21 pivotally supported on a bracket 23 fixed to the pedestal' 1 and under the table. Air is supplied under control of a valve 27 and via valve chest 26 to lines 24, 25, to move a piston 19 and hence, by means of a driving arm 14 which carries pins or dogs 15, 16 adapted, when moved in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 8, to grip the periphery of a flange 9 on the drum 8, to move it step-by-step in that direction. The arm 14 controls a stop 28 which engages one of a series of stop pins 83 to ensure that when the table 6 comes to rest one of a series of holes 65 in flange on its rim is in line with a locking bolt 64 operated by a double-acting cylinder 75 and piston 74. The forepart section 33 of each last is mounted in radial guides on the table 6 to move relatively to the corresponding fixed heel part section 32 to expand the last, against a spring 37, to fit a shoe placed thereon at the loading station LS, Fig. 8, when compressed air is admitted at 46 to a bore 43 in section 33. The passage 46 is connected by pipe 47 to valve housing 49 fixed to, and capable of rotating with. boss 5 of table 6. The valve 50 is non-rotatably mounted on post 4 and has a peripheral groove 51 not extending completely round it and communicating at one end with radial inlet passage 52 in valve 50 and by eccentric passage 53 to air supply line 56. Radial exhaust passage on valve 50 leads to atmosphere, so that as each last reaches unloading station ULS, Fig. 8, it will be contracted and remain so until it reaches the loading station on leaving which it is re-expanded. In Fig. 8, two processing or. operating stations A, B are shown. At the former, after a heel piece has been applied by an operator to the heel part of the shoe bottom, pressure is applied by a pad 104; to ensure its adhesion. At station B, a 'through sole is pressed into adhesive contact with the shoe bottom, the operational movements of the pressure pads 104, 113 being controlled respectively in time relation to movement of the locking bolt 64 by a lever 130 connected intermediate its ends to piston rod 73 of piston 74 which operates the bolt. The pads are withdrawn before the table again makes its next movement. Inflation of the pads 104, 113 may be controlled by movement of the machine. The main control valve 142 in main pipe line 118 may be controlled manually or by foot. Automatic control alternatively may be made, while valve 142 is open, by control valve 27, which is reciprocable in cylinder 26. When valve 27 is in right hand position, Fig. 8, air line 24 to cylinder 21 is cut off from supply line 118, and line 25 to cylinder 21 is open to line 118, so that arm 14 is returned by piston 20 to beginning of its stroke ready to drive the table 6, and table is locked in position by bolt 64 which is caused to rise by air from line 25, via line 77 to cylinder 76. In moving to its locking position, bolt 64 sets valves 125, 126 so that compressed air is supplied to upper ends of cylinders 98, 108 via lines 101, 110 and line 118. A reversing cylinder 146 and dash pot cylinder 147, controlled by adjustable bleed valve 155, are connected in tandem so that, as valve 27 is reciprocated in its cylinder, air is supplied under pressure alternately to opposite ends of the cylinder 146 to move piston rod 150 and collar 151 thereon. When, with control valve 27 as shown in Fig. 8, air is admitted from line 25 via line 153 to left hand end of cylinder 146, collar 151 is caused to move to the right. When valve 27 is moved to the left to cut off line 25 from supply 118 and place it in communication with line 24, bolt 64 is withdrawn to free the table 6, and valves 125, 126 are reversed so that pistons 99, 109 rise in their cylinders and pressure pads 104, 113 are withdrawn from the work. Piston 20 causes arm 14 to make a driving stroke to turn the table 6, the table being re-locked by the bolt 64 after the arm 14 has made its stroke and the stop catch lever 28 set to arrest rotation of the table by engagement with one cf pins 83. Air under pressure from line 24 to right hand side of cylinder 146 causes piston 148 to move to left to move collar 151, at rate controlled by setting of valve 155, to the right, to strike plunger 156 to force air or oil under pressure through line 158 into right hand side of valve 27 to move it to the left. Similarly, movement of collar 151 to left moves valve 27 to the right, and thus machine is operated continuously step-by-step as long as valve 142 is open. A platform to carry heel pieces, through soles &c. may be placed on the top of table 6.